«much of his political persona was an act»

How is that not covered by "televisual salesman"? How is that different from most other politicians and entertainers?

«going back decades and it is not the same persona»

I would question that, as he has always been a crass cable-tv style of celebrity, and always an "America Firster" like Perot and Buchanan.

But over the decades both his politics and his personality did not cause extreme reactions of disgust and rejection, at most amused dismissal: that changed quite a lot when it became clear that his personality and politics were politically influential to the point of being about to win, and then winning, the presidency.